2nd Annual National Construction Industry Workforce Summit

Nov 3-4, 2022 – Hyatt Regency, Phoenix, AZ

AGC Member Price

$200

Non-Member Price

$300

Join Us in Phoenix

This Summit is designed to bring leaders in construction and workforce development together to find solutions to chronic worker shortages in the industry. Take the opportunity to come alongside other construction and workforce development professionals to learn about successful programs that are helping recruit, develop, and retain high-quality construction professionals.

Register Today

Inspirational Keynote Presentations

Our speakers who will define the scope of the industry’s workforce challenge and outline what is possible when groups work together to craft solutions.

Small-Group Breakouts

A conference with small group disscussion at the center – Attendees will have ample opportunities to share their workforce success stories and craft innovative solutions to workforce challenges.

Learn from Your Peers

Some of the nation’s most successful construction workforce development programs will share brief presentations on what they are doing and how they succeeded.

Tentative Agenda

Wednesday, November 2nd
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Welcome Reception

Sponsored by:

Thursday, November 3rd
7:30 AM
Shuttle Departs to Arizona Construction Career Days
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Arizona Construction Careers Day

Separate registration and fee: $35

Arizona National Guard Papago Park Military Reservation 5636 E McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85008 Attendees will travel to the Arizona Construction Career Days event. The annual construction expo attracts thousands of local high school students from across the region to engage in a wide range of hands-on construction experience. Learn from organizers about the steps they have taken to build strong, effective relationships with local school districts to ensure widespread student participation in the event.

Proper identification, closed-toe shoes required. Hard hat and glasses to be provided on site.

9:30 AM
Shuttle Returns to Hyatt Regency Phoenix
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
Leadership Advancement Summit & Workforce Development Summit Joint Keynote Lunch

Learn how creating the right internal culture is essential to developing strong leadership and successfully recruiting and retaining new workers.

Sponsored by:

1:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Networking Break
1:15 PM – 2:00 PM
Express Learning Labs: Success Stories on Recruiting, Training and Retaining Talent

Brief presentations on building programs to recruit, train and retain the next generation of workers in innovative and exciting ways. The short and rapid presentations will each be followed by a short question period for all participants to build off the ideas and programs presented.

More Than a Million Dollar Prize!

Find out what Harbor Freight Tools for Schools has been doing to lift up and support high school skilled trades programs across the US and what you can do to help.

Closing the Workforce Gap – The Long Play

Allied Construction Industries’ Construction Career Advocacy Program (CCAP) is a workforce development model that aligns construction industry employers, educators, and students. CCAP provides mutually beneficial solutions through applied learning and professional development workshops resulting in long-term and sustainable partnerships connecting classrooms to careers in construction.

  • Jordan Vogel, Executive Director, Allied Construction Industries
  • Lydia Burns, Senior Manager, Allied Construction Industries
2:00 PM – 2:15 PM
Networking Break
2:15 PM – 3:45 PM
Industry Best Practice Round Tables

Targeted Diversity: Strategies for Attracting and Retaining a Diverse Workforce

Employers realize the necessity of focusing on new worker demographics to meet workforce needs. Diversity in gender, race and sexual orientation requires specific strategies to attract employees and build the culture that retains them.

  • Brynn Huneke, Director, Diversity & Inclusion and Member Engagement, AGC of America

Engaging the Future Workforce Through School-to-Work Experiences

Challenged by labor law and concern for insurance risk, many contractors are wary to engage high school students in this meaningful work experience. Youth apprenticeship, internships and formal shadow programs provide a valuable and rewarding ways for students to explore career paths in the construction industry.

Climbing the Ladder: The Importance of Craft Worker Development and Advancement

Most contractors involved in hiring have experienced potential employees inquiring about promotion while still in the interview process. Many workers today expect opportunities to advance within their companies. A commitment to ongoing development and advancement is critical to maintaining craft worker talent.

  • James Busch, Senior Manager of Workforce Development, NCCER

Recession Readiness and Maintaining Your Workforce

One of the valuable lessons that many contractors experienced during the COVID pandemic was the necessity to be nimble with their workforce. To avoid rapid expansion and contraction of workforce, contractors have embraced new strategies to boost productivity, offer flexibility and increase engagement with employees.

  • Nathan Barry, Ph.D., Dean of Career and Technical Education, Metropolitan Community College
3:45 PM – 4:00 PM
Networking Break
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Express Learning Labs: Success Stories on Recruiting, Training and Retaining Talent

Brief presentations on building programs to recruit, train and retain the next generation of workers in innovative and exciting ways. The short and rapid presentations will each be followed by a short question period for all participants to build off the ideas and programs presented.

Build Montana – Connecting Students to Industry

Build Montana is a hands-on, experiential program created through a partnership of the Montana Contractors Association and the Montana Equipment Dealers Association. Focused on construction heavy equipment, Build Montana offers high school students the opportunity to learn about the operation and maintenance of machines used in the industry. The program currently uses curriculum from the John Deere University to teach subject matter, and cumulates with students getting real-time experience in operating heavy equipment. Local contractors and equipment dealers representing a variety of heavy equipment manufacturers, including John Deere, Caterpillar, and Volvo, have worked together to offer a learning experience that is unmatched by other industries. Build Montana has partnered with school districts in Billings, MT and Kalispell, MT, and will offer a program in Spring 2023 to schools in Missoula, MT.

  • David Smith, Executive Director, Montana Contractors Association
  • Adam Gilbertson, Vice-President, RDO Equipment
  • John Hurd, Store Manager, RDO Equipment

Successful Workforce Development Strategies

Southland and People Working Together (PWT) created a successful partnership to hire new apprentices for their project in Sacramento, CA. Learn about specific steps they took to identify the right people and how they maintained success throughout the project.

  • Henry Nutt, Preconstruction Executive, Southland Industries
  • Kevin Brown, Founder/Chief Executive Officer, People Working Together
5:15 PM – 6:15 PM
Networking Reception

Sponsored by: AGC of Arizona & Arizona Builders Alliance

6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Dinner with Success Story Presenters
Optional Event with a separate registration fee: $75

Attendees can attend a networking dinner where they can select to sit with one of the presentation speakers to learn more about their programs and the people behind them.

Friday, November 4th
7:30 AM – 8:15 AM
Breakfast & Day One Session Recaps
8:15 AM – 8:30 AM
Break
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Answering the Call: Breakout Sessions

Small breakout groups to discuss innovative solutions to specific workforce recruitment, training, and retention challenges. Each breakout will report highlights of their findings with all workforce summit attendees.

Sharing Expertise and Resources with Career and Technical (CTE) Education Programs

The construction programs in public, charter or trade schools rely on the industry to bring needed expertise and support. Contractors and their employees can add value and make a difference in the ability of the school to offer engaging and relevant experiences for students.

Show Me the Money – Compensation and Benefit Strategies

Money is not everything but in today’s ultra-competitive market, the right compensation and benefit package is an important tool to recruit and retain employees. Compensation that rewards for good work and incents desired behaviors is important to your company and your employees.

Meeting the Need for Apprenticeship Training

Considering enhancing an existing training program with a more formal apprenticeship? Is this an effort you should pursue on your own or in partnership with others? Learn from others that have embarked on this journey to apprenticeship.

Better Together – Partnerships That Support Workforce Initiatives

Outreach, resource and funding are all valid reasons to partner with community-based organizations, workforce boards and non-profits to meet your workforce needs. Replicate successful programs in your area based on partnerships that have worked with other AGC members.

  • Debbie Barnum, EC2
9:30 AM – 9:45 AM
Networking Break
9:45 AM – 10:45 AM
Express Learning Labs: Success Stories on Recruiting, Training and Retaining Talent

Brief presentations on building programs to recruit, train and retain the next generation of workers in innovative and exciting ways. The short and rapid presentations will each be followed by a short question period for all participants to build off the ideas and programs presented.

Pima Joint Technical Education District

How AGC chapters and members can build a positive, successful working relationship with local public school CTE programs that increase the quality of education and provide better-prepared candidates for the industry.

AGC of Washington Foundation

The Foundation developed CORE PLUS Construction. It is an official Washington State program of study that allows high school students to explore careers in the construction industry. Students use hands-on-learning to gain real-world skills and earn graduation credits. Diane Kocer will outline how the Foundation established and continues to support, Core Plus and how it is helping address workforce shortages throughout the state.

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Morning Breakout Sessions Recap
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Closing Keynote Session

Greg Donovan, the founding superintendent Donovan is the founding superintendent of West-MEC, a career technical education public school district serving 12 public school communities in the north central and western portions of Maricopa County. As superintendent, Donovan led the district through foresight and future-minded initiatives. His guidance has helped the organization grow to serve 200 adult students and 30,000 high school students daily, at 49 traditional schools in the West Valley. Donavan will outline how he overcame multiple challenges to establish a network of successful CTE programs. He will offer suggestions for how Summit participants can also be successful in overcoming the workforce challenges they face.

Register Today

Event Location

Hyatt Regency Phoenix

122 North Second Street | Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone: (602) 252-1234

Located in Downtown Phoenix, walk to the Arizona Center Shops and entertainment at CityScape, located two blocks from the hotel. Explore museums, culture, the arts, and the vibrant nightlife of downtown Phoenix just outside our doors.

We are currently sold out of our room block at the hotel. Please check here for alternative lodging options. If you have any hotel questions, please contract Brittany Lord-Buchanan (Brittany.buchanan[@]agc.org).

279

plus tax

Cut Off Date: October 11, 2022
Check In: 4:00pm | Check Out: 11:00am

Cancellation: No charge shall be made if a reservation is canceled at least 48 hours prior to scheduled arrival.

Nearest Airport

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is located 4 miles and about 15 minutes from the hotel.

Parking + Transportation

Covered parking is available at the garage across the street from the hotel.
Parking passes are available at the front-drive and are required to access the parking garage.

Self Parking | $28
Valet Parking | $38

Other Transportation

The Light Rail is available – Head two blocks south of the hotel to the Jefferson Street and Washington / 3rd Street Valley Metro Rail station for convenient transportation to East Valley, Mill Avenue, Tempe, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Thank You Event Sponsors

Autodesk Construction Cloud
ConstructConnect
Arcoro
Procore
United Rentals
Workrise